One Week

One week. I leave one week from today, and my "to do" list still stretches for miles. Atop that list had been to set up a blog. It was a HUGE stumbling block. Do I need to know code? How does this work? Omg, how do I embed pictures? Thankfully, blogger and other such programs are completely idiot-proof for those computer-wary people like me. So, "set up blog" is now successfully crossed off my list. I have only to tackle the other 2oo items before I leave. Yikes.

One week from (exactly) now, I'll be sitting in SeaTac Airport ready to fly out to Madison, WI for Margie's wedding. Fabulous! I can't wait! A few days later, I fly from Chicago to TelAviv and make the journey to Ramallah, Palestine, my home-away-from-home. I love it there and can't wait to spend time with my uncle and cousins!

The garden at home in Ramallah

After nine amazing days in Palestine, I fly to New York for the day. That's just how my flights worked out. (Anyone know people in NY?!) And then, I'm off to Portland for a few days before finally heading home to Seattle. Phew! Exhausting, but so much fun! As a preview of what is to come, I leave you all with some of my favourite views of Palestine.

View from Bethlehem

Sheep in the streets of Jericho

Jerusalem

Holy Thursday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, 2006

My Great-Uncle processing in to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with the other priests for Good Friday
(I think he looks a bit like dracula in this picture.)

The Apartheid Wall on the outskirts of Ramallah

A Palestinian make-shift souk, just inside of the Q'alendia checkpoint


The Bethlehem Peace Tree

The Dead Sea